Watching Sonoma County residents come together during the fires inspired Santa Rosa Junior College third-year student Daniela Rodas to run for Miss Sonoma County and advocate for volunteering locally.
Originally from Novato, the 20-year-old anthropology major felt more empowered and encouraged after the removal of the swimsuit part of the competition in the last year.
“I finally felt like they’re gonna judge me based on the content of my character and what’s in my head and what my abilities are rather than how a piece of cloth looks on my body,” Rodas said.
Rodas plans on graduating from SRJC this spring with three associate degrees — in anthropology, natural sciences and humanities. She has already been accepted to San Francisco State and is waiting to hear from other schools.
Like many students, Rodas isn’t sure exactly what career she will end up in, but she does want to stay in the biological anthropology field.
“I was thinking about becoming a forensic pathologist or maybe even a coroner,” she said.
While Rodas was not directly affected by the fires or the recent flooding, the communities in Sonoma and Marin Counties that united to help those who had lost everything truly moved her.
“I was really inspired by the amount of people who really came together and showed what we as human beings are capable of,” Rodas said. “I really love that phrase ‘the love in the is thicker than the smoke’.”
The love she witnessed inspired her platform of encouraging volunteers.
“Ultimately, my goal is to continue promoting volunteerism in the county,” Rodas said. “Here in Sonoma County, regardless of where you go, there’s just so many community events.”
Rodas will perform a song close to her heart at the competition. “Piel Canela” and other songs by Eydie Gorme provided the soundtrack to her childhood.
“I grew up listening to a lot of her music and ballads in general,” she said.
The 73rd Annual Miss Sonoma County competition will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park.
